MaineMaine funds State Police positions and highway projects
Maine law funds State Police positions, lets some unspent motor vehicle funds carry forward, and allows bonds for highway and bridge needs.
What it does
The law funds four State Police detective positions and one lieutenant position. The lieutenant's work supports staffing related to the state's extreme risk protection order law.
After commitments and budget adjustments, up to $2.5 million in unspent motor vehicle program funds can carry forward for system and public service upgrades.
The Maine Municipal Bond Bank may issue up to $50 million in bonds for statewide highway and bridge needs, repaid only with federal transportation funds for qualified projects.
Argument forBonding could help pay for qualified highway and bridge projects statewide, with repayment limited to annual federal transportation funds.
Argument againstUsing leftover salary funds for emergency center consoles, firearms testing, or barracks equipment may leave less money available for other agency needs after required obligations are paid.
More detail
The law allocates funding for four State Police detective positions and one lieutenant position. These positions are in the Maine State Police. The lieutenant position supports additional staffing related to the state's extreme risk protection order law. The listed funding covers fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27.
The law lets the Secretary of State carry forward up to $2.5 million in unspent motor vehicle program funds. The funds are in the Secretary of State's Administration - Motor Vehicles program. The State Controller may carry forward the money only after financial commitments and budget adjustments are made. The money is for continued upgrades to motor vehicle systems and public services. The funds carry from the end of fiscal year 2025–26 into the next fiscal year and remain available until spent.
The law authorizes the Maine Municipal Bond Bank to issue up to $50 million in GARVEE bonds for highway and bridge needs. The bonds may support highway and bridge needs statewide. The bonds must be repaid solely from annual federal transportation appropriations for qualified transportation projects. The authorization applies during the 2026–27 two-year budget period.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16Signed by Governor Janet MillsLatest
- Apr 14PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 14Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 14PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Apr 14This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.
- Apr 13ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 13The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-1037) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-697) thereto.Minor
- Apr 13Sent down for concurrence.
- Apr 13Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-1037) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-697) thereto In NON-CONCURRENCE.Minor
- Apr 13Committee Amendment "A" (H-1037) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-697) thereto ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 13On motion by Senator NANGLE of Cumberland Senate Amendment "A" (S-697) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-1037) READ and ADOPTED.
- Apr 13Committee Amendment "A" (H-1037) READ.
- Apr 13READ ONCE.Minor
- Apr 13Report READ and ACCEPTED.
- Apr 9Reported Out - OTP-AM
- Apr 9Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 9The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-1037).Minor
- Apr 9Under suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.
- Apr 9CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAY
- Mar 30Voted - OTP-AM
- Mar 30Work Session Held
- Mar 12Work Session Held - TABLED
- Mar 10Work Session Held - TABLED
- Feb 12The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION in concurrenceMinor
- Feb 12Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Feb 12The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION.Minor
- Feb 12Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.Introduced
TransportationPublic SafetyTaxes & Budget